Can patients with wind-cold type common cold eat lychee?
Jun 16, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yu Yongchao
Introduction
Lychee is warm in nature and sweet and sour in taste, possessing certain functions of warming the middle jiao and dispersing cold. For patients with wind-cold感冒 (wind-cold感冒 should be translated as "wind-cold感冒" is a TCM term for a type of common cold with cold symptoms) and a cold body constitution, such as those with cold hands and feet, moderate consumption of lychee may help expel cold from the body and alleviate cold symptoms. If wind-cold感冒 patients do not have other contraindications, such as indigestion or heatiness, moderate consumption of lychee will not negatively affect their condition.
Generally speaking, patients with wind-cold common cold can eat lychees, but excessive consumption is not recommended. Details are as follows:
Lychee is warm in nature and has functions of nourishing blood and qi and promoting production of body fluids to relieve thirst. If the patient's constitution tends toward cold deficiency and symptoms such as significant chills, cold limbs, and fatigue occur during the wind-cold common cold, eating lychees may help warm and nourish the body to expel cold and alleviate symptoms of physical weakness. In addition, lychee is rich in vitamin C and fructose, which can help replenish energy consumed during a cold.
However, lychee contains high levels of sugar. Excessive consumption may lead to sugar buildup on the throat mucosa, promoting bacterial growth and worsening the illness. Furthermore, sugar can increase phlegm production, aggravating symptoms such as coughing and sputum. Moreover, lychee is warm in nature; excessive consumption may cause heatiness symptoms such as dry mouth, sore throat, and constipation. During a cold, gastrointestinal function is relatively weak, and excessive sugar intake may irritate the gastric mucosa, increasing gastric acid secretion and possibly worsening gastrointestinal discomfort.
Patients should maintain a light, easily digestible diet during illness, drink plenty of water, and ensure adequate rest to promote recovery.
